Method of and apparatus for determining rate of flow of steam and other gases and vapors.



0.0. THOMAS. METHOD 0E AND APPARATUS EOE DETEEMINING EATE 0E ELoW 0E STEAM AND OTHER GASES AND VAPOES.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.30.190B.

Patented Jan. 18, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

@MMM/Dawes: Y I Y f nd( M C. C. THOMAS. METHOD 0F AND APPARATUS POB. DETERMINING RATE 0F PLOW 0F STEAM AND OTHER GASES AND VAPORS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.30.1908.

946,886, Y Patented Jan. 18,1910.v

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED sfrarigs PATENT OFFICE.'

CARL C. THOMAS, OF. MADISON, WISCONSIN.l

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING RATE OF FLOW 0F STEAM AND OTHER GASES AND VAPORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 18, 1910.

Application led December 30, 1908. Serial No. 470,006.

To alt whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, CARL C. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Madison, county of Dane, State of Wisconsin, have invented a Method of and Apparatus for Determining Rate of Flow of Steam and other Gases and Vapors, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a method of and apparatus for determining the quantity of steam or other gas or vapor flowing through a pipe or other conduit in a given time, and is based upon the principle that, if the specitic heat of the gas the flow of which is to be measured be known, as it is in the case of superheated steam and most other gases, determination of the rise of temperature produced by imparting to such gas a known amount of heat. permits the determination of the quantity of gas to which that heat is im parted, by a very simple calculation; and in practice, with no calculation at all, reference being made instead to calibration curves or tables obtained by experiment or calculation.

As an apparatus my invention comprises a chamber through which the steam or other gas may pass, said chamber having within it heating means, usually electric resistance conductors, by which heat may be imparted to the steam or other gas, measurement of the amount of heat so imparted being ef` fected, in the case of electric heating, by measurement of the amount of energy passed through such coils in a given time. In connection with this chamber I providey means for measuring the temperature of the steam or other gas used. before said steam or gas is subjected to the heating action, and after it has been subjected to such heating action.

The objects of my invention are, to improve present methods of determining the amount of steam or other gas flowing through pipes or conduits, and to provide a simple accurate and easily operated apparatus for measuring quantities of steam or other gas. In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically two forms of apparatus embodying my said invention and adapted for carrying out the j method comprised in my invention.

In said drawings: Figure l shows an elevation of one form of the apparatus as arranged for use; Fig. 2 shows a central verof the tical section of the heating chamber; Fig. 8 shows a transverse section of such chamber on the line .ovof Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic View illustrating the connection apparatus in shunt; Fig. 5 shows a central vertical section of an alternative form of the apparatus; and Fig. 6 shows a top view of one of the resistance grids used in this form of apparatus.

`)referring to Figs. I-4 inclusive, 1 designates a pipe through which steam 0r other gas to be measured may flow, and 2 designates the said heating chamber of a measuring apparatus, said chamber being in this instance shown connected in shunt. to the pipe l by means of a supply pipe 3 and a return pipe 4, suitable valves, 6 and 7 being provided, so that the steam or other gas may be passed through chamber 2 or not, at will. For imparting heat to the steam or other gas-passing through chamber 2, I may employ any suitable heating means capable of imparting to said gas passing through the chamber an accurately measurable quantity of heat, but preferably I employ electric resistance conductors for this purpose; and while I may employ any suitable .arrangement of electric resistance conductors, I'preferably employ a series of metallic grids, somewhat similar to the cast iron grids commonly used in connection with electric motor controllers and the like. In Figs. 2 and 3, 8, 8 designa-te these grids and 9, 9 designate rods upon which these grids are mounted and by means of which they are secured together so as to form a single structure. As indicated particularly in Fig. 3, these grids are preferably of spiral form, although I do not limit myself to the use of this particular form of grid. In general these grids will be connected in series and therefore I have shown on rods 9 insulating bushings 10, which may be of mica or other suitable material adapted to withstand the temperatures to which the contents of the chamber 2 will be subjected. As shown particularly in Fig. adjacent grids are in contact with each other 'at their centers and at their outer ends, alternately; and the. simple Contact of the grids may be relied upon to establish electric connection betweenthem, though preferably I provide bonding conductors 11. Between adjacent grids I provide flanges or rings l2 projecting from the inner wall of peratiire T2 in the above equation, and then 'y enough more energy is added to superheatf chamber 2 inwardly, for the purpose of prei venting water or other liquid, which maybe l carried with .the steam or gas, from working its way along the inside of the chamber 2 so as not to coine in Contact with the grids 8.

-In Fig. 1 I have indicated an electricl generator 13 for supplying current to the electrical resistance conductors, and a wattmeter 14 for measuring the quantity of currents supplied to the resistance conductors; 15 and 16 designating the electric terminals ofthe apparatus. For measuring the temperature of the steam or other gas before and after passing through the chamber Q, I may employ any suitable temperatureineasuring device,` but have indicated -for the purpose ordinary steam thermometers 17 and 18. Using this apparatus, the quantity of steam or other gas passing through the apparatus per unit. of time, may be obtained l from the equation i KCD (T1-T2) wherein Q heat supplied electrically per unit of time; W: weight of steam in pounds per unit of time; Cp specific heat of steam; K: experimentally determined coeticient allowing for heat losses T1 T2 :temperature range, z'. e., difference between temperatures as shown by thermometers 18 and 17 respectively. In this case the steam is assumed to be superheated or at least dry-saturated. If not dry-saturated or superheated, considerable electric energy is introduced to dry the steam and superheat it to a given temperature, which temperature is used as the temthe steam some further amount, thetemperature thus obtained being used as the temperature 'I1 in the above equation, and then the calculation of weight of steam can be obtained by the same equation above given, Q. in the equation being then the additional amount of energy required to raise the temperature of the steam the predetermined amount above the rst temperature of superlieat, z. e., being the difference between the electrical energy, required to obtain temperature T1, (the higher degree of su )erlieat), and the electrical energy requirec to obtain temperature T2, (the lower degree of superheat), reduced to equivalent heat units. The measurement of the quantity of gas flowing through the apparatus in the case of gases other than steam, is determined in the same way, the specific heat of the gas mixture being known.

In practice it will be unnecessary to solve the equation, calibration curves or tables being employed ,instead, it being necessary merely to measure the amount of electrical energy required to raise the temperature of the gas a certain known amount and then to i learn the quantity of gas by reference to the calibration curve or table, whichcurve or table is based on experiments with the meter.

if desired. only a small proportion of the total. amount of steam flowing through pipe 1 may be passed through the apparatus, the pipe 3 in suoli case being of restricted diameter as compared with pipe l, or, and preferably, having in it an oriticed partition 19 (Fig. l) the orifice of which is of known area. In such case the How of steam through the main line 1 and through the. shunt 3 and orifice in partition 1S) will be in inverse proportion to the respective resistant-,es offered to the passage of the steam through pipe 1 and oriiiced partition 19, respectively, and the ratio of these resistant-,es easily determined; and once known, by measurement of the steam flowing through the by-pass or shunt. it is easy to determine the amount of steam tloiving through the main pipe l and so to determine the total amount of steam flowing.

Iiipractice the amount of steam shunted through the meter is proportional to the total steam iiowing through the main pipe and the meter combined, and the energy required to raise the temperature of the steam going through the meter therefore gives a measure of the total steam flowing.

It is desirable in many cases to have the steam meter a permanent part of the steam piping system, and it is also desirable, in man v cases. to be able to read, at a distant point. the amount of steam passing through the instrument at any given time. For thisI latter purpose it is convenient to use electrical resistance thermometers or equivalent. electric temperature-ineasuring means, such for example as thermo-junctions: these elec` tric temperature-measuring means being included in electric circuits which may lead to an electric measuring instrument at any convenient point--even a point quite distant from the steam meter.

In Fig. 5 I illustrate a form of steam meter` particularly adapted by its construction, to be made a permanent part of the steam piping` and fitted with electric resistance thermometers` such as referred to. This apparatus comprises a casing 21 within which is a suitable lining preferably of porcelain or like insulating material, and preferably formed in two or more parts, for convenience in placing within it the hereinafter mentioned grids. This lining is held within the casing by means of gland rings 23, suitable. packing material 24: being provided to makeA tight joints. The glands themselves are held in place by means of the bonnets 2,5 secured to the casing 9,1.

QG, 2G designate the grids, shown in detail in Fi G. These grids, as indicated pai'- ticularly in Fig. (3, are of return bend form` comprising longitudinal bars connected at Sil Slt;

y ieu the ends, and these longitudinal bars of adjacent grids are arranged transversely with respect to one another, as indicated particularly in Fig. 5, in order that the steam may be eiiiciently bailed and brought into good heating .contact With the surfaces ot the grids. These grids are mounted in grooves in the insulation lining 22 of the instrument and are connected electricallyvv in series hy conducting blocks 27 inserted for that purpose. The bonnetsI 25 have suitable electric terminals 28 connected to the lowermost and uppermost grids; these terminals being connected to an electrical generator 13 and electrical current measuring instrument 1l as in Fig. 1. The apparatus is provided with electrical temperature measuring means, for example, so-called electric resistance thermometers, 29, carried by the bonnets and located directly in the path of steam or other gas flowing into and out of the instrument, and connected by electric circuits 30 and 31 respectively, to an inserument 32 for measuring the diiference between thehtemperatures to which the two electrical thermometers 29 are subjected. Electrical resistance thermometers, such as the devices 2S) indicated, are resistance devices the resistance of which varies with the temperatures to which they are subjected.

I have not indicated any special construction of electrical resistance thermolm-rters or other electrical temperature measuring device, as such devices arewell known; nor have I indicated any particular construction of electrical instrument 32 for indicating the diiference between the temperatures to which said thermometers are subjected, as such instruments are well known.

It will be observed that the indicating instruments 14 and 32 may be located at a considerable distance from the steam meter, for example, may be located on the switchboard, gage stand or in an office of the plant at which the steam meter is located, so making it very convenient for a switch board attendant, chief engineer. superintendent `or other oiicer to keep track of the steam consumption of the plant or a portion thereot.

LWhat I claim is:

1. The method of determining rates of flow of dry steam and other gases, which comprises determining the rise of temperature produced by imparting to a moving current of the gas within a unit of time a known amount of heat.

2. The method of determining rates of flow of dry steam and other gases, Which comprises passing a moving current ot' such gas into heating proximity to electric resistance means, passing current through such resistance means and thereby heating the gas, and determining the rise in temperature produced by the passage of a known amount of current Within a unit of time.

3. The method of determining the rate of How of wet ste-.1m and like vapors, which comprises adding suicientheat to a moving current. ot such vapor to dry and superheat it and also adding in addition a further known amount of heat and determining the rise in temperature produced, within a unit ot' time, by the addition ot such further amount ot heat.

Il. The method of determining the rate ot flow ot' wet steam and like. vapors, which comprises passing a moving current of such vapor in heating proximity to electrical resistancev means, passing throughsuch resistance means electric current suilicient to generate enough heat to superheat the vapor and so convert it into gas, and also passing through such resistance means a i'urlher known amount of current and determining the rise of temperature produced in the gas, during a unit of time, by the passing ot' such additional amount of current.

5. In a method of determining rates of tlow ot dry steam and other gases, the step which consists in imparting heat at a known rate to a moving current of dry gas, and at a rate sufficient to produce a material rise of temperature in such gas, and determining the rise of temperature in such gas thereby produced.

6. In a method of determining rates o1 How of dry steam and other gases, the step which consists in passing a. moving current of such dry gas into heating proximity to electric resistance means, passing a knowny current, sufficient to cause a material rise in temperature of such gas, through such resistance means, and determining the rise in temperature produced in the gas by the passage of the current at such rate.

7 In a. method ot determining the rate ot How of wet steam and like vapors, the step whichconsists in adding to .such vapor heat s'uiicient to dry and superheat such steam or vapor, and also adding in addition further heat at a known rate, and at a rate sufficient to cause a material rise of temperature in the gas produced by so superheating such steam or vapor, and determining the rise in temperature produced in the moving current ot' gas by such additional heat.

S. In a method of determining rates of flow of wet steam and like vapors, the step which consists in passing a moving current of such vapor in heating proximity to electric resistance means, passing through such resistance means electric current suiiicient to generate enough heat to superheat the vapOr and so convert it into a gas, and also passing through such resistance means a further known current, sutlicient to cause a material rise in temperature of said gas, anddetermining the risc of temperature produced 1n the gas by the passage of such additional current.

9. The method of determining rates of iow of dry steam and other gases, which consists in adding heat at' a known rate to a moving current of the dry gas, and at a rate suiiicient to cause a material rise in temperature ot' such gas, determining the rise of temperature produced in such gas thereby, and from the known specific heat of the gas and the known rate at which heat is imparted to such gas, determining the quantity of the gas flowing within a given unit of time.

l0. The method of determining rates otl flow oi dry steam and other gases, which consists in passing a moving current of such dry gas into heating proximity to electrical resistance means, passing a known current, sufficient to cause material rise in temperature of such` gas, through such resistance means, determining the rise in temperature produced in the gas by the passage of the current, and from the known specific heat of the gas and the observed rise in temperature produced by the passage of the current, determining the amount of gas tiowing during a given unit of time.

1l. The method of determining the rate of flow of wet steam and like vapors, which consists in adding to a moving current of such vapor, heat sutiicient to dry and superlieat it, and also adding in addition a further amount of heat atv a known rate and determining the rise in temperature produced, within a unit of time, by the addition of such further heat, and from the known specific heat of the dry gas, and the observed rise in temperature produced in such gas by the addition of such additional amount ot' heat thereto, determining the quantity of steam or vapor flowing in a given unit of time.

1'2. The method of determining the rate of How of wet steam and like vapor, which consists in passing a moving current of such vapor in heating proximity to electrical resistance means, passing throu h such resistance means electric current su lcient to generate enough heat to Superheat the vapor and so convert it into a gas, and also passing through such resistance means a further known current suiicient to cause a material rise in temperature of said gas and determin- .ing the rise of temperature produced in the gas by the passing of such additional amount of current, and from the known specific heat of the dry gas, and the observed rise of temperature produced by the passage of such additional amount of current, determining the amount of steam or vapor flowing in a given unit of time.

13. Apparatus such as described, comprising a chamber adapted to permit the How of steam or other gas or vapor through it, heating means within such chamber in the path of the gas or vapor iowing therethrough, means for determining the amount of heat so imparted to such gas or vapor, comprising an instrument adapted for location at a distance from said chambelr and means connecting it operatively with the heating means of said chamber, and means for determining the ditference between the temperatures of the gas or Vapor, before and after the passage of such gas or vapor in heating proximity to such heating means, comprising temperature -measuring means including temperature-affected operating means located within the range of influence of the gas or vapor and an indicating instrument'therefor, adapted for location at a distance from said chamber and means operatively connecting such instrument to said operating means.

14. Apparatus such as described, comprising a chamber adapted to permit the flow of steam or other gas or vapor through it, heating means within such chamber in the path of the gas or vapor flowing therethrough, means for measuring the amount of heat so imparted to such gas or vapor, and means for determining the diierence of temperatures of the gas or vapor before'and after passage in proximity to such heating means, comprising electrical thermometers and 1ndicating means therefor, electrically connected therewith.

ln testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CAR-L C. THOMAS. lVitnesses R. H. PINNEY,

G. Roscori THOMAS. 

